Die for making weldless-link chains.



- PATENTED AUG. 11, 1908.

C. A. LEWIS.

DIE FOR MAKING WELDLESS LINK CHAINS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 15, 1907.

2 SHEET$SHEET 1.

No. 895,649. PAT-EDITED AUG. 11, 1908.

, 0. A. LEWIS.

DIE FOR MAKING WELDLESS LINK'GHAINS.

LI EIL .1 l APP OATION ED NOV 5, 907 2 S E TS SHEB 2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. LEWIS, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-'HALF TO EDWIN R. COOPER,

OF DENVER, COLORADO.

DIE F03 MAKING WELDLESS-LINK CHAINS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1 1, 1908.

Application filed. November 15, 1907. Serial No. 402,272.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. LEWIS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful Die for the Manufacture of Weldless- Link Chains, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in dies for the manufacture of weldless link chains.

The object of the invention is to provide a system of dies by means-of which a chain of tie link type may be punched or stamped out from a bar of cruciform steel, the dies being so arranged that the links are formed successively as the bar is fed through them, independent dies being arranged to form links from the two blades of the steel, While an additional die is adapted to remove the stock connecting the links, thereby separating them into a plurality of independent, connected, weldless links.

The invention further consists in the novel construction of the various dies and punches for producing a chain of this character, as set forth in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a perspective view showing the various punches formingpart of my in vention. Fig. 2, is a perspective view of the various dies employed. Fig. 3, comprises an end and a plan view of a bar of cruciform steel, showing the incomplete, integral links, as formed by the action of the first two dies and punches, and before being acted upon by the last die and punch, which separate the links and complete the chain. Fig. 4, is a plan view of the same bar shown in Fig. 3, but in a different position. Fig. 5, is a transverse, sectional view, through the bar on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, showing the first step in the production of a chain, or the result of the action of the first die. Fig. 6, is a similar view on the line 66 of Fig. 3, showing the bar after being acted upon by the second die. Fig. 7, shows a section of the bar, after the action of the last die, or when the links are se arated. Fig. 8, is a plan View of the first (fie. Fig. 9, is a transverse, sectional view thereof on the line 99 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10, is a plan view of the punch used in connection with this die. Fig. 11, is an end View thereof. Fig. 12, is a plan view of the second die. Fig. 13 ,is a perspective view of viding a shearing edge for the punch. Fig.

16, is a similar view showing the manner of supporting the link when receiving the sec ond operation of the second die, and of providing a shearing edge for the punch. Fig. 17, is an end view of the link support used in connection with the second die.

Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the letter A, indicates the first die and B the punch used in connection therewith C indicates the second die and D the punch used therewith; and E and F indicate respectively the third die and its punch.

The dies A and C are rectangular in cross section, of a suitable length, and are each formed with a slot 1, which extends through it from end to end, which slots are crossshaped or. cruciform transversely of their lengths. Each of these cruciform slots is so positioned with respect to the die that one member or limb of the slot stands parallel with the sides of the die, while the other member or limb lies parallel with the top and bottom of the die. As shown in Fig. 9, the vertical limb of the slot extends through the top of the die, forming a slot 1, and this portion of the die is termed the stripper.

The dies may be formed to cut out as many links as may be desired, but for the sake of simplicity they are each shown as being arranged to form but one link, and it will be understood that the first die forms links from but one wing or blade of the cruciform steel, while the other die forms its links from the remaining wing or blade of the steel. The first die forms the complete outline of a link in one operation, while with the second die two operations are required to form the com lete outline of the link, the reason for this lieing fully set forth hereinafter.

In order to form the complete outline of a link, as in the case of the first die, the said die is constructed in the following manner: At

diametrically opposite recesses2 are formed through the die, each of which recesses has a strai ht outer side 3, parallel with and in vertical ine with the outer edge of the horizontal limb of the cruciform slot, and ends 4,

which curve towards'each other. The end curves of each recess 2, taken in connection with the corresponding curves of the op 0- site recess, form substantially semi-circu ar curves, which correspond to the ends of two adjacent links out from the same wing of the steel. The recesses 2, open into the vertical limb of the cruciform slot 1, and when they pass through the bottom of the die, they are separated by a bridge 5, of the metal composing the die, which bridge corresponds in viidth to the width of the vertical limb of the s 0t 1.

Diametrically o posite slots or recesses 6, are formed throng the die between the recesses 2, which open into the slot 1, on their opposing sides, and a bridge 7 separates themwhere they pass throu h thelbottom of the die, this bridge 7 being of the same width as the brid e 5, or of a width corresponding to the widtTr of one of the wings of the bar. The recesses 2 and 6, intersect the horizontal limb of the slot 1, and between each slot 6, and the pair of recesses 2, on the same side, is left an mtegral member v8, and these members taken together form in outline an incomplete link, as will most clearly appear by reference to Fig. 8.

The punch B, used in connection with this die, comprises a plate 9, from which depend a plurality of independent punches, which correspond in outline to the recesses 2 and 6. These punches are arranged in pairs, the punches 10 corresponding in outline to the re cesses 2, while the punches 11 correspond in outline to the slots 6, and when the punches are pressed through a die having a bar 12 therein, as shown in Fig. 14, the stock between the adjacent ends of a pair of links will be removed, with the exception of a small connecting bridge, as well as a stri on each side of the center of the link, as Wi 1 be more fully explained hereinafter.

. The seconddie, or that by which the links in the opposite wing of the bar 12, are formed,

is arranged in such a manner that each link out from this wing is subjected to two operations, or, in other words, one-half of the link is formed in one end of the die while the other half of the link is formed at the other end of the die, and this is for the following reason: When the bar 12, is acted upon in the first die, the outline of a link is formed in the wing 13. The punches 11, which straddle the other wing 14 of the bar, remove a strip of metal from the link on each side of the w ng 14, leaving open s aces 15 as shown in F1g. 5. The removal of this metal from the center of the link leaves the corresponding portion of the wing 14, unsuplported, and if a die and punch similar to t e first die and unch were employed in forming the second ink, the center punches would press the metal down, and by the time they passed through it, the form of the link would be destroyed, and for this reason means must be em loyed for supporting the central core of eac link of the wing 14, and also for forming a shearing edge, as the center of the link is removed, and two operations are required, as the means for supporting the core must be inserted throu h an opening in the die, on the opposite si e thereof from where the strip is removed, which would prevent the action of the punches on that side of the die, as will be understood by reference to Figs. 15 and 16. The die 0 or second die, is constructed as follows: At the entrance end of the die, a single slot 16 is formed through it, correspondin exactly to one of the recesses 2, in the die together with a slot 17, which corresponds to one of the slots or recesses 6, of

the die A, and at the other end of the die and on the opposite side of the slot 1, are formed slots 18 and 19, corresponding respectively to the slots 16 and 17, The punch for this die consists of a plate 20, from which depend individual punches 21, 22, 23, and 24, which correspond in osition and outline respectively to the s ots 16, 17, 18, and 19, the punches 21 and 22 being positioned to form onehalf of the link, while the unches 23 and 24 form the other half of the ink.

On the side of the die C, opposite to the slots 16 and 17 is formed a slot or recess 25, which extends through the side of the die in position to bring its upper face flush with the ower side of the wing 14, of the bar 12, and on the opposite side of the die a similar slot 26 is formed,'o posite the slots 18 and 19, and in position to bring its upper face flush with the lower side of the said win 14,-see Figs. 15 and 16. These slots are a apted to receive a link-supporting die 27, the end of which is formed wlth a central, projecting lug 28, which corresponds in shape to one of the punches 10, and with lugs 29, on each side of 'the lug28,which in pos tion and shape bear the same relation to the said lug 28, as the punches 11 bear to the punches 10. These ugs correspond in length to the thickness of the wings of the bar 12, and when the die 27 is placed in either one of the slots 25 or 26, the lug 28 will lie between the adjacent ends of two of the links of the wing 13, while the lp. s 29 will enter the openings 15 of the said 1m and will form a su port for the wing 14, while the half link is eing stamped out. An end view of the supporting die 27 1s shown 1n Fig. 17, while its operative position. relatlve to the links of the wing. 13, is shown'by dotted lines in Fig. 3, and in Figs. 15 and 16.

When the bar 12 has passed through the first die, it will appear like the cross section illustrated in Flg. 5, and after passing through the second die it will appear as represented in Figs. 3, 4, and 6. These two dies form the incomplete outline of the links, leaving between the adjacent ends of the links of each wing and between the inner end surfaces of the engaging links short sections or bridges of stock '30 and 31, respectively, which must be removed in order to'form the individual links and thus complete the chain. This operation is accomplished by means of the die E and punch F, which are illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, while a perspective view of the die E, is shown in Fig. 13. The strip ing faces of the first and second dies stand at right angles to each other, and the wings of v the bar 12 also stand at right angles to each other, as shown by Fig. 14, but the stripping face of the die E is on a horizontal plane.

This die consists of a metal block of suitable length, having the cruciform slot 1, extending longitudinally through it, so as to register with the same slots in the first and second dies. Vertically through this die are formed a plurality of rectangular apertures 32, which intersect the cruciform slot 1, cen- -.trally between and at the crossing of its limbs, four of these apertures being shown. These apertures occur at regular intervals, and coincide with the bridges of stock 30 and 31, which remain after the action of the first and second dies. The punch F used in connection with this die, consists of a plate 33, from which epend a number of individual punches 34, corresponding .in number and outline to the apertures 32, andas shown by dotted line Fig. 6, these punches pass down between the links and remove the sections'of stock or bridges 30 and 31, which formintegral connections between the links, thus roducing individual engaging links which orm the completed chain. j i

The metal composing the links thus formed is square incross section, and the links may be subsequently acted upon by suitable dies to give the metal the usual circular form. In practice the dies are secured to a suitable sup port and the punches areo erated-by suit- 'able mechanism, as the "cruci orm bar is auto-' matically fed throu h the said dies, but the support and the 111cc anism for operating the punches and for feedingthe bar, are omitted,

as they form no part of the present invention. I

The operation of forming a chain by the use of dies as set forth, is as follows: The

dies are suitably supported in the order shown in Fig. 2, so that the axes of their cruciform slots are in line, and, asbefore stated, the dies may be arranged for forming a plurality of links at one operation. The cruciform bar is then fed into the first she, the punch is operated, and the incomplete outline is given to a link, while a strip of metal is removed from each side of the center of the link, leaving a solid wall of stock in the center of the link, which coincides with and,

is an integral part of the other wing of the barsee.Fig. 5. The bar then passes into the second die and the link-supportin die 27 is moved into the slot 25, and a half of the next engaging link is formed. A second op- I eration, with a su porting die 27, in'the slot 26, forms the ot er half of the link, but

leaves bridges of stock between the adjacent tical, andenablesa chain to be manufactured, at the expenditure of much less time and expplnse than is possible under existing metho s.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device for the manufacture of link chains, the combination of a system of dies,

having longitudinal slotsin axial line, of cruciform cross section, the first die of the system being formed with slots which intersect one limb of the cruciform slot, and which form the incomplete outline of a link; the

ag The bar then passes into the ast second die beingv formed with slots which intersect the other limb of .its cruciform slot, and which form the incomplete outline of a link, punches corresponding to the outline slots of said dies, and a die and punch for removing the stock between the links.

2. In a device for the manufacture of link chains, the combination of a plurality of dies arranged in progressive order, having longitudinal slots in axial line, which are cruciform in cross section, the first of said dies .rh'aving slots extending through it, which intersect one of the limbs of the cruciform slot,

and form the incomplete outline of a link;

the second die having slots extending through'it which intersect the other limb of the cruciform slot, and form the incomplete outline of a link, and corresponding punches for said dies; the third die having apertures which extend through it between the limbs of the cruciform slot, and at the crossing of said limbs, said slots occurring at re ular intervals corresponding to the space etween the chain links, and a corresponding punch for said die.

3. In a device for the manufacture of link chains, the combination of a system of dies arranged in progressive order, having longitudinal slots in axial line, which are cruciform in cross section, the first die having slots extending through it, which form the posed,

incomplete outline of a link, and which intersect one of the limbs ofthe cruciform slot, and a punch. for said die; the second die having slots extending throu h it at one end, which intersect the other limb of the cruciform slot, and form the outline of an incomplete half link, and similar slots at the other end which form the other incom lete half link in outline; link su porting ies which enter slots at right'ang' es to the half link forming slots, and a correspondin punch for said second die; while the third die has a series of slots extending through it at intervals corresponding 'to theintervals between the chain lmks, and in position to intersect the cruciformslot at the crossing of its limbs, and a corresponding punch for said die.

4. In a device for the manufacture of weldless link chains, a die having a longitudinal slot, cruciform in cross section, intersecting recesses in the form of an incomplete link, and apunch corresponding in form to the intersecting recesses; a second die having a longitudinal cruciform slot in line with the slot of the first die, intersecting recesses formin incomplete half links, oppositely disut' one in advance of theother, and a unch corresponding in form to the recesses orming the incomplete half links; a third die having a longitudinal slot cruciform in cross section and in line with the correspond ing slots of thefirst and second dies; intersecting slots at intervals corresponding to. the connecting 'ortions remaining after the action'of the st and second dies; and a punch for said die, corresponding tothe said intersecting slots, whereby theincomplete con nected links are separated to form individual engaging links, said dies being arranged in progressive order, the'fir'st and second being positioned with their upper faces on planes at right angles to each other, while 'the upper face of the third die is on a horizontal plane.

5. In a device for the manufacture of weldless link chains, a system of dies arranged in iprogressive order, having cruciform slots in axial line; the first die having its upper face arranged at anangle of fortyfive degrees to a horizontal plane, and being rovided with slots forming an incom lete ink, which intersect one of the limbs of the cruciform slot; a second die having its upper face turned at an angle of forty-five degrees to a horizontal plane, -and at right anglcs to the plane of the first die, and having at one end slots for forming a half link, which intersect the other limb of the cruciform slot, and at the other end oppositely positioned slots forming a half link which intersect the same limb of the cruciform slot; a third die having its upper face on a horizontal lane, and having vertical slots extending t ough it at intervalsgcorresponding to the connecting portions which unite the links after the action of the first and second dies, and punches for said dies similar in form, to the outlines of the die slots. a

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

Witnesses:

G. SARGENT ELLIOTT, ADELLA M. FowLn.

' CHARLES A. LEWIS. v i 

